unix - count of columns in file

Question

Given a file with data like this (i.e. stores.dat file)

sid|storeNo|latitude|longitude
2|1|-28.03720000|153.42921670
9|2|-33.85090000|151.03274200
         


        

Answer 1

Unless you're using spaces in there, you should be able to use | wc -w on the first line.

wc is "Word Count", which simply counts the words in the input file. If you send only one line, it'll tell you the amount of columns.